The San Carlos City Council has approved final plans for two Life Science buildings to rise at 841 Old County Road. While the San Mateo County city has seen several new life science projects rising, 841 Old County Road is the closest to the city’s Caltrain station, with more public open space than initially considered. The Sobrato Organization is the project developer.
841 Old County Road pedestrian perspective of the central courtyard, rendering by Studios Architecture
841 Old County Road aerial view from across the Caltrain tracks, rendering by Studios Architecture
STUDIOS Architecture is responsible for the design. The project divides the north and south buildings with a large central open space overseen by a double-height glass skybridge. The project plan document describes that “the architectural design is intended to respect the San Carlos innovation and industrial character through the use of natural materials, including red brick masonry and terracotta.” While incorporating older vernacular with contemporary scale and curtain-wall glass, the project will create an important gateway for the East Side Innovation District plan area.
Guzzardo Partnership is the landscape architect. The courtyard will be the central focal point for pedestrians, visitors, and employees entering the space, but not the only open space to experience. Outdoor terraces scattered across the articulated structure will give employees more fresh air access while in the office or laboratory.
841 Old County Road, rendering by Studios Architecture
841 Old County Road site map, illustration by Studios Architecture
Sobrato’s construction timeline will build the South Building before the North Building. The South Building will rise five floors to a 70-foot pinnacle, while the North Building will stand four floors and 54 feet tall. Once complete, the site will yield around 340,000 square feet of office space. Despite its proximity to transit and housing, parking for 745 cars between two double-level basement garages on each lot will be included. Additional long-term parking will be included for 55 bicycles.
841 Old County Road, image by Google Street View
The 3.4-acre property is across from a pedestrian pathway below the Caltrain tracks. The pathway goes along the southern end of the 0.35-mile-long San Carlos Station parking lot and a block from the retail-lined Laurel Street thoroughfare along Arroyo Avenue.
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County, not CountRy
There is no Old Country Road in San Carlos.